One held for assaulting cop
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, July 22 — The police has arrested one person and is on the lookout for three of his accomplices for reportedly assaulting a policeman here today.

According to a report filed by Constable Jagtar Singh, he was on duty in the Sector 11 market when he was attacked by the accused, Jagteshwar Singh, Manpreet Singh, Rajiv Kumar and Gogi, and was bashed up. While Jagteshwar has been arrested, the search for the others is on.

A case under Sections 332, 353, 506 of the IPC has been registered.

Chain snatched: Mrs Kiran Satija, a resident of Sector 32, reported to the police that some unknown persons snatched her gold chain from near Government High School, Sector 32.

A case under Sections 356 and 379 of the IPC, has been registered at the Sector 34 police station.

Four arrested: The police has arrested four persons for consuming liquor at a public place. Sources said the accused — Sanjiv Kumar, Ashok Kumar, Surinder Singh and Devinder Singh — were found drinking liquor in front of GCG, Sector 11, in a car (PB-60-1602).

A case under Section 61-1-14 of the Excise Act has been registered.

Eve-teaser caught: The police has arrested Parvej Sethi, a resident of Sector 4, Panchkula, from near the Housing Board roundabout, Mani Majra, on the charges of eve-teasing. A case under Section 294 of the IPC, has been registered.

Gamblers nabbed: The police has arrested Anil Kumar and Darshan, residents of Sector 35-B, on the charges of gambling a public place. A case under Section 13-3-67 of the Gambling Act has been registered at the Sector 36 police station.

Two held: Pramod Kumar and Randhir Singh, residents of Sector 22-B, have been arrested on the charges of quarreling a public place. A case under Section 160 of the IPC has been registered.

Order on cost of vehicle
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, July 22 — The UT Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission has directed Oriental Insurance Company to pay Rs 2,85,000 along with interest on account of total loss of a Tata Sumo in an accident.

The complainant, Mr Ish Kapoor, contended that he had purchased one Tata Sumo from M/s Cargo Motors Limited for Rs 3,64,552 on May 21, 1997. It had been financed by M/s India Lease Development Limited and was insured for Rs 3,65,000 for the period November 27, 1997, to November 26, 1998. He further averred that the vehicle while coming from Jammu to Kalka met with an accident near Raj Bagh on November 30, 1997, and resulted in total loss. Subsequently, the respondent Insurance company made an offer of Rs 2.85 lakh. Since the accident took place within a period of six months, the complainant was not satisfied with the offer and he filed a complaint claiming a total of Rs 6,88,000 toward reimbursement and compensation.

In the reply filed by the insurance company, it admitted the occurrence of the accident but assessed the total loss at Rs 2,85,000.

After going through the records, the Commission bench, comprising its President, Mr Justice J.B Garg, and members, Col P.K Vasudeva (retd) and Mrs Devinderjit Dhatt, found that a letter addressed to the insurance company by the surveyor dated June 25, 1998, shows that it was a case of total loss. The Commission observed that `` since the accident took place after about five months of the purchase, taking into account the depreciation, which the respondents claimed on account of clause 3 of the insurance policy the loss assessed at Rs 2.85 lakh does not call for enhancement.

The Commission directed M/s Oriental Insurance Company Ltd to pay a sum of Rs 2,85,000 together with interest at the rate of 12 per cent starting after exempting a period of three months from the date of the accident till its realisation.

They further observed that after recovery, the amount shall be payable to M/s India Lease Development limited, Sector 35, who had financed the vehicle. The insurance company has also been directed to pay costs of Rs 2,000 to the complainant.

Theft of jewellery

The UT Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum-II has dismissed with costs a complaint regarding theft of jewellery on the ground that the owner did not take reasonable steps to safeguard the valuables.

In her complaint filed before the Forum, the complainant, Mrs Swarn Kanta Jain, stated that she had taken an insurance policy with National Insurance Company Limited for the period of December 21, 1990, to December 20, 1991, dated December 27, 1990, in respect of her house covering all risks. She further alleged that a theft took place in her house on December 8, 1991, and she lost cash of Rs 13,650, one pair of tops valued at Rs 15,000, one ring worth Rs 10,000 and six bangles valued at Rs 42,500. She had then lodged a report and informed the insurance company about the theft. However, the insurance company rejected the claim. Therefore, she filed the complaint claiming Rs 55,000 in total.

In its reply, the insurance company stated that no heft had take place in the house of the complainant and that she had put forth a false claim. They held that she was in the habit of making such claims. The company had got the matter investigated through Eagle Eye Detective Service Investigators and Consultants who reported that the theft had been concocted by the insured to get the claim.

They contended that the claim was repudiated on the ground of violation of condition No:3 of the policy, which says that the `` insured shall take all reasonable steps to safeguard the property against any loss or damage. The insured shall exercise reasonable care that only competent employees are employed and shall take all reasonable precautions to prevent all accidents and shall comply with all statutory or other regulations.''

The Insurance Company further said that the alleged theft in the complainant's house was committed by a servant named Krishan Bahadur. He had recently been employed by the complainant and she did not get his antecedents verified from the local police.

The Forum comprising its President, Mr R.P Bajaj, and members, Mr H.S Walia and Mrs Kamlesh Gupta, observed that it was common knowledge that owners were required to take care and caution while employing new servants. The antecedents of these servants should be got verified at the time of employment.

But the complainant did not take any such steps. In any case, it was not a prudent act on the part of the complainant to have left the house where costly items were lying in the sole charge of a newly employed servant. Hence, the insured complainant did not take reasonable steps to safeguard the property. Since, the complainant violated condition No: 3 of the policy, the Insurance company could not be held guilty of deficiency in service while repudiating the claim. The costs of Rs 550 were also imposed on the complainant.

Big hike in tomato price
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, July 22 — With heavy rain in the region having cast its adverse effect on arrivals, the prices of a number of commonly used vegetable have started skyrocketing in the local market.

During a survey of the local market it was found that the biggest jump of price was recorded by tomato as its price increased from Rs 16 a kg to Rs 24 a kg during the past two days. The wholesale price of the vegetable has increased from Rs 60 to Rs 100 per 5 kg. The traders attributed the hike to almost nil arrivals of the vegetable from different parts of Himachal Pradesh.

Cauliflower was another vegetable which recorded a major fluctuation as its price increased from Rs 30 to Rs 40 a kg in retail and from Rs 130 to Rs 165 per 5 kg in the wholesale market. This was also due to shrinking arrivals of the vegetable from the hill state.

Squashgourd has also gone the cauliflower way as its price has increased from Rs 16 to Rs 28 a kg in retail and from Rs 60 to Rs 115 per 5 kg in the wholesale market. According to traders, the hike in the price was due to a dip in arrivals from parts of Punjab and Haryana, where the crop was almost over.

The price of capsicum has also increased from Rs 20 to Rs 24 in retail and from Rs 80 to Rs 100 per 5 kg in the wholesale market. Similarly, a kg of carrot, priced at Rs 30 just two days back, was available today for Rs 35 in different city markets.

The same was the case with brinjal. A kg of the vegetable, which could be purchased for Rs 16 last week, was available in the market at a minimum price of Rs 24. The wholesale price of the vegetable has gone up from Rs 60 to Rs 100 per 5 kg during this period.

And there is bad news for salad lovers as radish has become costly during this period. A kg of the vegetable, priced at Rs 16 just two days back, could be had today after paying Rs 20. The wholesale price of the vegetable has gone up from Rs 60 to Rs 80 per 5 kg.

There was no fluctuation in the prices of a number of vegetables. A kg of bittergourd was still available for Rs 24 and the same quantity of lemon could be purchased at its old price of Rs 20. Cabbage was still available for Rs 16 a kg and ginger could be had for Rs 60 a kg.

Aarti Mehta, Pavitar shine
By Our Sports Reporter

CHANDIGARH, July 22 — Aarti Mehta and Pavitar Singh Bajwa shot two gold medals each in the individual section on the opening day of the 24th Chandigarh State Shooting Championships which began here today at the Patiali Rao Ranges, Sector 25.

Aarti won a gold medal each in air rifle (OS) NR junior and senior sections in the individual section, while in the senior team event she along with Tamanna and Chetanpreet also bagged the gold medal in the same event.

Pavitar Singh Bajwa lifted two gold medals in all in air rifle (OS) NR senior and junior men's section of the individual category.

Chetanpreet also won the sub-junior women's gold medal in air rifle (OS) NR section.

Earlier, the meet was inaugurated by Mr J.P.S. Sidhu, Joint Director, Sports Chandigarh Administration.

The following are the results :

Air rifle (OS): Senior men (Individual)- Pavitar Singh Bajwa (294/400) 1, Balvinder Singh 2, Gurinder Singh 3.

Junior men( individual)- Pavitar Singh Bajwa (294/400) 1, Gurinder Singh 2, Param Pratap Singh 3.

Sub junior men- Gurparneet Singh Sekhon (280/400) 1, Harmandip Singh Sidhu 2, Karambir Singh Brar 3.

Senior women( individual )-Aarti Mehta (309/400) 1, Tamanna 2, Aneesa Luthra 3.

Junior women- Aarti Mehta (309/400) 1, Tamanna 2, Aneesa 3.

Sub-junior women-Chetanpreet Kaur (189/400) 1, Shaleen Chauhan 2, Rachna3.

Senior women team-Aarti ,Tamanna, Charanpreet (789/1200) 1, Maninder , Preeti, Ritu 2, Vandana, Shama and Rachna.3.

Under-12 football

The Chandigarh Football Association (CFA) will organise the Shivalik Trophy for Atoms Football Championship for under 12 years from August 2 at the Football Stadium, Sector 17 . This was stated by Mr D.S. Bedi, Director-Principal , Shivalik Public School, Sector 41,and Senior Vice-President of the CFA.

The championship, to be organised by the Shivalik Public School will continue for a week. The entries close with Mr Rakesh Bakshi, Secretary , CFA .

At the conclusion of the tournament nearly 30 players will be selected for an advance coaching camp to be conducted by SAI experts with the assistance of the Chandigarh Sports Department.

Karate meet

The District Karate Association, Panchkula, will organise the District Karate Championships on July 24 and 25 at Youth Hostel,Sector 3,Panchkula, according to a press release of the association.

The events will be held from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mr Brij Bhushan Singla, President of the association, will inaugurate this two-day meet.

Honoured

Two hockey girls of SAI Sports Training centre, Sector 18, Nishi Chauhan and Mamta, along with their coach , Mr Jasvinder Singh, were honoured today at the centre premises. Mr Suresh Harmilapi, the Director in charge of the SAI Northern Centre, Sector 42, Chandigarh, presented the girls with track suits while the coach was given a memento and an appreciation letter from SAI for his contribution in training the girls.

It may be recalled that these two girls were members of the Indian women's hockey ( under 21) team which recently bagged the title in the Four-Nation Hockey Championship which concluded on June 28 at New Jersey( USA).

Mr R.K. Gupta, Deputy Director SAI Northern Centre , Sector 42, was also present on the occasion along with the other officials and coaches of the SAI.

Ms Ritu A Pathik, Assistant Director and in charge of the STC, Sector 18, highlighted the other achievements of the centre where training in four games — athletics, basketball, hockey and volleyball — is being given. She said it was a proud moment for the centre with the glory brought by these girls.

This was for the first time that such an honour has been bestowed on players of the SAI Northern Centre .